Author's Note: Ah, the wonderful scene with Axel that actually gave me problems. As I put it to rarmaster: Axel is much better at commenting on other people's stories than telling his own. However, this is what I have. I hope you enjoy!

Oh! Before I forget, who actually WANTS to read a scene where Riku brings Namine home for dinner? Show of hands please? (AKA, leave a review telling me one way or another.)

Also, nonsence, Kairi was just referring to the fact that Namine was the one who physically (however you want to call it) rechained the memories to be what they were supposed to be because of her power over his memories.

"War leaves a bitter taste in your mouth."

xx

"How long will you be staying, dearie?" asked the lady behind the desk at the inn.

Axel scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, I don't know. I know I need it for tonight. Does it matter?"

"Well, we have options for those who want to stay longer. They're usually all booked when we've got bad weather and the fishermen need them, but the weather's fair and I can get you one of those rooms very easily."

"Just a room with a bed is fine," Axel insisted.

"5000 munny then."

"Per night?"

She nodded.

Axel sighed and shelled out the money.

She reached under the desk and pulled out a key.

"If you go up the stairs, it'll be on your right. The room number's printed on the key. If you do end up staying long-term, we can discuss payment options."

Axel nodded and took the key.

As he was heading for the stairs, she called after him:

"Oh, what's your name, dearie?"

"Axel," he replied.

"Axel, what a nice name," she said, smiling.

He smiled. "Thanks."

"Have a good stay at Destiny Islands Inn," she said.

He nodded and headed up the stairs.

The room was simply furnished. It had a bed with a nightstand, a chair by a fireplace and a dresser. Off to one side was a small bathroom with all the necessities.

He flopped down on the bed, Saix's last words burned into his mind.

"Remember me as I was…"

"Oh, Isa," he said. "What did we get ourselves into?"

No one answered him.

"Where would we be if we had given up after that first attempt to join Ansem?"

Again, there was no answer. However, he laughed.

"We'd probably be shopkeepers in town, wouldn't we?"

He sighed and sat up. He went over to the window and looked out.

"Same sky," he mused. "Different stars though."

"War leaves a bitter taste in your mouth."

For indeed, this last 'war' had left him with quite bittersweet results. He had regained the friends of Roxas and Xion. Oh, and Ven. Plus, he'd probably made some new friends out of all the people that he'd ran into earlier.

However, Saix wasn't coming back this time. There was no hope of saving him.

"I don't know how the Keyblade wielder does it," he muttered, going back to the bed.

If he had still been a Nobody, all he would have would be an empty feeling. But he wasn't a Nobody anymore. And his heart was overloaded with all the emotions he was experiencing.

"There are days, when I really hate having feelings."

But then he thought about watching Xion's face light up as she took in the sight of the beach. How she'd stripped off her boots and ran out into the ocean, not caring if her pants got wet. How Roxas had gone in right after her. How Sora and Kairi had just walked over to the dock to enjoy a moment alone. How Namine had hesitantly made her way to the lapping waves and how Riku had helped her ease into the water.

How he himself had suddenly gotten caught up in a splashing contest with Roxas and Xion and it was like they had never had a strain on their friendship whatsoever.

How they'd had to spend a good part of the evening lying on the beach, trying to get their clothes to dry off before going over to the main island.

Perhaps feelings weren't such a bad thing after all. It certainly was better than pretending to feel joy and feel a need to laugh and desire to have more fun.

For the heck of it, he pointed a finger at the fireplace and lit a fire. It made the place feel more homey.

"I'm gonna have to find out where I'm staying long-term, aren't I?" he mused.

The King hadn't given any indication as to what their next adventure might be. He had just said rest up before the next one. Chance were, it wasn't going to involve travelling the worlds via Gummi Ship.

Axel supposed he could go back to Twilight Town. He probably still had a bed there. The place was peaceful and kind of like a home to him. But then he'd feel obligated to work for Olette's parents again. And he wouldn't be able to explain it very easily if he'd have to leave. Twilight Town was too quiet for him to stay permanently.

He still had a bed in The World That Never Was. But then he'd have to deal with lesser Nobodies that may or may not be tolerant of him. Not to mention all the Heartless outside the Castle…

Castle Oblivion? Nah.

He could go make a home for himself in Radiant Garden. He could help with the restoration and there would be no end to things that he'd be able to do. Definitely doable. But, did he want to go there?

He could get a house here and be close to his best friends. It would be like living in a permanent vacation spot.

But then, where would he vacation to?

Decisions, decisions. Perhaps he would just always be on the move…

Could get expensive, but if he killed enough Heartless, he could keep a good munny stock.

He rolled over, deciding that it wasn't worth worrying about it now. He'd see what the others were doing then figure it out. He'd spent so many years of his life just being told what to do and when to do it, that trying to figure out where he was going to lead his own life took just too much work.

So he fell asleep.